Great Hero #1: "Absolutely Nooooo!"
"Absolutely nooooo!"
I denied it vehemently, my heart filled with injustice, but I could feel the situation worsening. The two women saying stuff like that only made me lose my mind even more. Truth be told, that kind of thing was just basic male desire. And like how telling someone not to think of an elephant makes them picture one, hearing that made me inevitably imagine it.
So now I'd never know if this was what I truly wanted from the start, or if it was a side effect from devouring that Hado yokai core.
"It's fine, Geun-hyeop. As your master, I understand everything."
While I was in a daze, Serin grabbed my hand with an expression like she got it all... Damn it, that smile's too warm! It made me feel so pathetic for even having those weird thoughts—pure compassion incarnate.
"If you get those urges, I'll help you anytime. Don't worry."
"What?!"
What the hell was that?!
"What do you even mean...!"
I trembled as I asked, and she replied, "Who knows. What do you think it means?" with a bewitching smile, then sauntered out of the cave. I was totally entranced by that devilish grin, my mind blank.
"Kuk kuk, what're you doing, you pervert."
"Who's the pervert..."
"Pfft, I could help too, y'know."
"H-Huh? How?!"
"Lend you some talismans?"
"Gahhhh!"
"Felt good using my talismans however you wanted, huh? You perv. Kuk kuk."
Ha-young giggled as she headed out too. Left alone in the cave, I poked at the campfire and tidied up. Could I even get through tonight okay?
Tossed around by all sorts of thoughts, I slept alongside the two women, but nothing special happened. If anything did, it was all in my head.
I woke at dawn and lay still, meditating. Yesterday, I'd heard some pretty loaded words... When we talked about the side effects from that Hado yokai core stirring up lewd tendencies in me.
Serin had said she'd help if it happened. What the hell did that mean? And that bewitching smile...
One conclusion.
"..."
Serin wants me.
Thinking back, we'd been through a lot. Back at the Namgung estate, she'd taken great care of me. Hell, she didn't even get mad when I saw her bare skin—just showed a hint of enjoyment. Add in yesterday's meaningful words and that devilish smile... Yeah, she definitely wanted me.
But it didn't stop there. Ha-young. She wanted me too, no doubt. She'd always treated me casually, and after we took down those bandits, she'd calmed me using her own body. Plus, on the way here, she'd subtly opposed Serin while clinging to me.
Putting it all together, Ha-young wanted me for sure.
Having reached that conclusion, I was gripped by massive anguish.
Two women. Serin and Ha-young wanted me!
"Urgh...!"
This was torture. My two dear friends were clashing over a guy like me. Don't fight over me...! It hurt so bad!
But they must be suffering too. Fighting over one man... I wasn't a woman, so I couldn't know for sure, but it had to suck.
Aah. Now that I realized it, everything clicked. They'd both been subtly touching me, trying to seduce me. No way they'd do that to a guy they had no feelings for.
Anyway. Now that I knew both wanted me, my path was clear. I really liked Serin and Ha-young. They were close friends I'd built bonds with, but also stunning beauties. There was no such thing as eternal platonic friends between men and women.
So. I had to respond to their feelings.
"..."
But... did I have to pick one? I liked both Serin and Ha-young. And if I accepted one honestly, what about the other? Awkwardness leading to a falling out? I couldn't lose friends over this.
I shook off the torment. If they both wanted me, then I'd want them both too. My aunt would've said exactly that if she were here.
"Good morning, Geun-hyeop. Sleep well last night?"
"Man, I slept like a rock. Is it 'cause my inner power's stronger? My head's so clear."
The agonizing thoughts from before? Shaken off at dawn. Maybe that's why my mind felt razor-sharp.
"Hee hee, glad to hear it. The yokai core must've suited you. Oh, just to check—no special side effects?"
Serin sidled up to me, linking her pinky with mine, her tone loaded. This seductive move was straight-up temptation. She was seducing me.
Normally I'd brush it off, but not anymore.
"Had a bit of a side effect."
"Oh? Really? Like what, specifically?"
"Guess you could say my yang energy got even stronger... I can really feel it down there. It's been kinda tough."
"Tough how? Be specific."
"A little uncomfortable. Mind's clear so it's manageable, but if my stamina drops, it might get rough."
"That's serious."
Serin's face turned grave. "Yang energy... overflowing yang energy..." She stroked her chin thoughtfully, then nodded.
"If it's overflowing and causing pain, best to release it. As for how... I'll take responsibility as your master—and friend—to find a way."
That kind heart...! No, this was temptation too. Offering to relieve my yang energy? Yeah, that meant that.
"Thanks, Serin! I feel better already!"
"Of course. Now that it's morning, let's check if your swimming improved."
"Sounds good. Where's Ha-young?"
"Out preparing breakfast. She probably caught some fish by now."
We headed out together, and there she was.
"Oh, you're up? Check this out! Caught a ton of fish!"
Ha-young had a haul. "Whoa! Up early for this? Gimme! I'll cook."
"Knew you'd say that. Clean 'em thoroughly?"
I took the fish. "Obviously! Gonna make it delicious!"
"Duh. So, sleep okay? No lewd urges sprouting all night?"
See? Acting casual, but she cared a ton about that. Come to think of it, she never scolded me for swiping her talisman—just pretended not to notice. I'd gotten forgiveness without even knowing I'd been caught.
Yeah, Ha-young wanted me too.
"Be honest. It's for researching your constitution too."
"Yes, Geun-hyeop. You can tell us."
Serin was curious too.
"Ugh... embarrassing to say."
"Just spit it out already. Felt that lewd impulse from yesterday?"
"It wasn't lewd impulses! Just my yang energy boiling over—made me suffer, that's all!"
"Heh, really? Boiling yang energy, huh?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Got it. I'll remember that. Cook well!"
She patted my waist—then flashed a foxy, bewitching grin. Sneaky smirk. Then, like nothing happened, she headed into the cave...!
Ha-young was dead set on seducing me too!
"S-Serin. Let's eat first."
"Yes. With Geophwa Buyong catching them, we handle the cooking."
We prepped breakfast. Gutting fish was nothing for a peak expert like me, and the fire was already going. Soon, a simple fish stew was ready.
We sat around the campfire and ate.
"Great catch, Geophwa Buyong. You have a knack for fishing."
"Any proper Taoist loves fishing."
"You used a thunder talisman and call it fishing?"
"Still fishing, ain't it?"
They bickered lightly, but no big deal. Breakfast done, time to swim.
"Alright, let's test it. If you absorbed traits from the Hado yokai core, your swimming should've improved. Right?"
"Feels like it."
"Plus, you sensed its essence, didn't you? I'm certain."
I felt it too.
"Time to swim, then... I'll disrobe."
"Together? Pfft, guess I will too."
As expected.
Swish.
Right on cue for my swim, Serin and Ha-young stripped to their underwear. Proof they both wanted me—and were competing.
"Urgh."
No place to look...! Even so, seeing them half-naked made my yang energy stir.
"Hm? Oh, my mistake. Exposing ourselves like this risks your yang energy exploding... I got carried away wanting to test your swimming. Forgive me."
Acting innocent after doing it on purpose! Serin, you're scary!
"N-No... it's fine. Happens."
"Thank you for understanding. I'll stay like this till you're done swimming."
She stepped forward, swaying her hips to stretch. That perfect figure... Obviously showing off for me. How seductive could she get? How hard was she trying to tempt me...!
"Kuk kuk, your yang energy's overflowing for real."
Ha-young said it too—down to talismans on her bare body. Posing with hands on hips right in front of me... Mesmerizing curves.
"What? Staring? Want me to peel off a talisman?"
"Gasp!"
"Geophwa Buyong, don't tease his yang energy with nonsense."
"But we'll have to relieve it soon, right? In this state."
"What are you...!"
"Kyahaha! Whatever, let's swim first."
She flashed that grin again and turned. Driving me insane. Their banter alone was maddening.
Anyway, swim time.
"Let's go."
Splash!
We dove in together. Yesterday, they both outswam me—too much gap. But now...
"Phew! Phew!"
I caught up to them!
"Whoa! Look at him go! Way faster!"
"Geun-hyeop...! It worked!"
Swimming side-by-side, I checked my state. Totally different from yesterday. Water felt more natural, propelling me forward. Like the essence's version of me—swimming pro!
Arms and legs had more power too. Better swimming meant stronger limbs. The yokai core boosted my physical level.
Judging that, joy surged. Just a few cores caused huge change. Keep at it, absorb more...!
And since the hypothesis held, another thought hit. My yang energy was enhanced by the core, but it wasn't new. So my lust... just amplified what was already there.
"Hee hee, Geun-hyeop. You're good enough for a bet race now."
"Phew! Bet? Count me in—all three!"
Feeling the two innocently enjoying the swim, I steeled my resolve. They wanted me? I wanted them too. No matter what, I'd make both mine.
Like a true great hero!